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Types of strokes

While the general term “stroke” is used to describe a disruption of blood flow to a person’s brain, there are many different types of strokes.

Ischemic Stroke

According to the Mayo Clinic, about 85 percent of strokes are ischemic strokes. This type of stroke happens when the arteries leading into your brain are narrowed or blocked. This can cause a severely reduced blood flow, the Mayo Clinic states.

The two most common types of ischemic strokes are thrombotic strokes and embolic strokes.

Thrombotic strokes happen when a blood clot forms in the arteries that lead into your brain.

An embolic stroke happens when a blood clot or other debris forms away from your brain and eventually lands in the arteries that lead to your brain, narrowing the arteries, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures, according to the Mayo Clinic.

One type of a hemorrhagic stroke is an intracerebral hemorrhage. According to the Mayo Clinic this type of stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and spills into the brain tissue. The hospital says this can damage brain cells.

Another type of hemorrhagic stroke is a subarachnoid hemorrhage. According to the Mayo Clinic, this occurs when an artery near the brain “bursts and spills into the space between the surface of your brain and your skull.” Often, a sudden and severe headache can signal this type of stroke.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

This is often called a mini stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic. These usually last less than 5 minutes and include brief episodes of symptoms similar to those you’d experience if you were having a stroke.

The Mayo Clinic states that a TIA happens when a clot or debris blocks the blood flow to part of your brain. This blockage is only temporary so the symptoms of a TIA often don’t last.

Those who suffer from a TIA should still seek immediate medical treatment as the blockage could cause a full stroke if not treated.

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